Liberation links renewed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 675, 25 February 1997, Page 7

Liberation links renewed

In 1918, soldiers from the New Zealand Rifle Brigade liberated the French villages of Le Quesnoy and Longueval from the Germans. Almost 80 years later, a delegation from the French village of Le Quesnoy is visiting this country to strengthen ties with New Zealand, by establishing a twin-city relationship with Cambridge. As part of their tour through New Zealand, the delegation visited the Queen Elizabeth II Army Museum on 19 February where a display of memorabilia relating to the liberation had been prepared. Items collated for the occasion included a flag with the tribute, "La Ville du Quesnsoy a ses Liberateurs, 4 Novembre 1918," embroidered upon it. Coats of Arms

from the villages of Le Quesnoy and Longueval were also displayed and their inscriptions commemorated the actions of the heroic New Zealand soldiers. While at the Army Museum senator Paul Raoult, Mayor of Le Quesnoy, was presented with asetof "collar dogs" from the Rifle Brigade which liberated his village. The collar dogs are inscribed with the Brigade motto "Soyez Ferme" which means Stand Firm. Strenuous efforts to maintain contact between Le Quesnoy and New Zealand were spurred on by the 100th birthday celebrations of the last surviving soldier from the Rifle Brigade, Colonel Curly Blyth, last year.